The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement (FTA) between 11 countries, including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.

End of last year, Malaysia joined the CPTPP as its ninth member But this could grow further with several countries such as Colombia, Taiwan, Thailand, and China expressing interest in joining the CPTPP. Recently the UK agreed to join, and they’re just pending ratification. The CPTPP includes trade-facilitating Rules of Origin (ROO) that are intended to support modern business practices and further encourage greater integration of Malaysian companies into regional supply chains.

So, today we'll discuss how the CPTPP can benefit or present an opportunity for local businesses, small and big, to grow and expand. Helping us with this conversation is Dr Juita Mohamed, Director of Research and Director of the Economics and Business Unit at IDEAS Malaysia.